Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network - Part 2 Connecting Your Router to a Wired PC for Initial Setup Aaron Weiss
Step 3: Connect Your Router to a Wired PC for Initial Setup
Figure 2.
(Click for a larger image)
Before you place the router in its ideal location, we will first set things up with a temporary wired connection to a computer. Either a desktop PC or portable computer with an Ethernet jack will do, although hooking up to a portable may require less climbing behind or under furniture.
3A. Your router probably included an Ethernet cable in the box. Use this or another Ethernet cable you have to connect the network jack on your computer to one of the local ports on the router – those labeled 1, 2, and so on. It doesn't matter which, as long as you do not connect the cable to your router's “WAN”/”Internet” port.
Also connect the Ethernet cable from your broadband modem to the "WAN"/"Internet" port on your router.
Now your router is connected via cable to both your broadband modem and your computer.
3B. It often helps to reboot your broadband modem at this point — the easiest way is to unplug it from the power source and plug it back in after a few seconds or so. Most broadband modems will take a little while to reboot, anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Boot (or reboot) your computer as well.
Step 4: Open Web Browser and Connect to Wireless Router Administration Interface
You manage and configure your wireless router using a Web browser. To connect to your router you need to know its default IP address and connect your browser to http://routeripaddress. For example, if you own a Linksys brand wireless router, its default IP address is 192.168.1.1, and therefore you open your browser to the URL http://192.168.1.1.
Most wireless routers also require you to log in to access configuration pages. Quite likely, your router includes a manual or a "quick setup" guide that details both its default IP address and default login. Some common IP addresses and logins for popular brands include:
Brand
Default Address
Default Username
Default Password
Belkin
192.168.2.1
<none>
<none>
D-Link
192.168.0.1
admin
<none>
Linksys
192.168.1.1
<none> or
admin
admin or
<none>
Netgear
192.168.0.1
admin
password
SMC
192.168.2.1
<none>
smcadmin
Zyxel
192.168.1.1
admin or
<none>
1234
Figure 3.
(Click for a larger image)
Note that <none> means to leave the field blank. These defaults describe many models in a vendor's lineup, but may not be accurate for certain exceptions or new models released after publication. Again, the documentation included with your router should clearly descibe its default IP address and login.
Once connected, you'll see an administration interface similar to that in Figure 3, which was taken from a Zyxel brand wireless router. Your particular router's interface may look different and feature different menus, but many of the most important settings are similar between models and brands. Consult your documentation, of course.
